AlgaeFix Marine to control Hair Algae
- Thread starter HighlandReefer
- Start date
My coralline growth has actually improved since dosing algaefix. Might be because I raised my calcium levels immediately before beginning the algaefix regimen.
What I have also noticed is that my mushrroms are not as happy as they were before I started.
Of this there is no doubt.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
Logzor,
I responded to your post regarding the algaefix and coralline algae also:
IME, AlgaeFix will effect macroalgae when dosed for a prolonged period of time. after about 13 doses, it killed my chaeto. Other hobbyists have reported similar effects with AlgaeFix on other macros. This can be a bonus if you are fighting a macroalgae pest, but one should be aware about this if they are not.
The manufacturer states that AlgaeFix will not kill macros, but will slow their growth. I would agree with this except with prolonged dosing after around 9-10 doses.
You would be the first to claim problems with coralline algae and AlgaeFix. I am not sure if the AlgaeFix is the cause of your problem or if it may be other factors such as lighting, competition with other coralline that does not grow as fast or as tall looking. I did not see any visible adverse reactions with my coralline algae after dosing AlgaeFix for two months. In fact, my coralline is a nuisance.
I responded to your post regarding the algaefix and coralline algae also:
IME, AlgaeFix will effect macroalgae when dosed for a prolonged period of time. after about 13 doses, it killed my chaeto. Other hobbyists have reported similar effects with AlgaeFix on other macros. This can be a bonus if you are fighting a macroalgae pest, but one should be aware about this if they are not.
The manufacturer states that AlgaeFix will not kill macros, but will slow their growth. I would agree with this except with prolonged dosing after around 9-10 doses.
You would be the first to claim problems with coralline algae and AlgaeFix. I am not sure if the AlgaeFix is the cause of your problem or if it may be other factors such as lighting, competition with other coralline that does not grow as fast or as tall looking. I did not see any visible adverse reactions with my coralline algae after dosing AlgaeFix for two months. In fact, my coralline is a nuisance.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
Many hobbyists have continued dosing carbon sources and reported no adverse effects in combination with AlgaeFix.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
rhunter513,
I understand your frustrations. Keep us posted on your future results.
I understand your frustrations. Keep us posted on your future results.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
We have had a few hobbyists with larger systems such as yours who have used AlgaeFix. One concern that I have with the larger systems, is that the total amount you dose is a large amount every three days. Pouring the amount that you need to dose with the larger systems could have a negative impact on the areas it is introduced. We had one hobbyist who reported such results that may be attributed to AlgaeFix in your situation.
I would think seriously about dividing your dose into half and dose it twice for the day you dose, perhaps one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Shark Bait100
New member
Can some of the sps tanks that used Algeafix comment on the health of their acros? RTN/bleached. I be interested in knowing also, if their sps are still healthy after one month from the last treatment, and how many treatments were done? and has the algea returned?
My tank can't come to the computer now, but I can say that after 5 weeks and 13 (#14 today) doses, I've seen zero affect on any acros or other SPS. Nor have I noted any issues with LPS, snails, urchins, skunk cleaner shrimp, or any of the fish in this tank.
On the other hand, the affect on the hair algae has also been pretty disappointing... the GHA has indeed receded somewhat and become easier to siphon out, but nothing spectacular. I question in fact whether the AlgaeFix is having any affect at all, or whether it's something else that is affecting the GHA. At least I've seen absolutely nothing I'd call a negative side affect of the AlgaeFix.
Haksar
New member
I started my algae fix dose on 01st June and I am into 02 nd dose ysterday.My tank is 138 gallon including sump with mainly LPS/Mushrooms and 02 or 03 SPS corals.
My tank paras are all normal part of it bcos I have GHA.Although not very alarming but I have been fighting it for three months but its not going away.Tried the usual methods and tank is now running on a Biodenitrator, phosban and carbon reactor.
I am dosing a tad slow which is 15ml.Will carbon effect the dosing.
Will keep you posted on my progress.
My tank paras are all normal part of it bcos I have GHA.Although not very alarming but I have been fighting it for three months but its not going away.Tried the usual methods and tank is now running on a Biodenitrator, phosban and carbon reactor.
I am dosing a tad slow which is 15ml.Will carbon effect the dosing.
Will keep you posted on my progress.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
PhreeBYrd,
I am not sure which pest you are fighting. I have noticed in my own tank that the green cyanobacteria are much tougher to kill off with the AlgaeFix. Green cyanobacteria look very much like algae also. Perhaps trying some of the recommendations for cyanobacteria may also help you out.
Shark Bait100,
I have not experienced any problems with AlgaeFix and any of my sps or other corals for that matter. The only thing I have noticed with extended dosing of AlgaeFix is that it will kill macroalgae also after around 13 doses or in that area. It only slows macroalgae growth up to that point.
Haksar,
Many hobbyists have dosed AlgaeFix with GAC, GFO and dosing carbon sources and still gained control of their pest. If for some reason you do not get control of your pest say within 10 doses, then perhaps discontinuing some of these may help. Randy has stated that these may interfere with AlgaeFix since the AlgaeFix active ingredient is attracted by the charge on these molecules.
I am not sure which pest you are fighting. I have noticed in my own tank that the green cyanobacteria are much tougher to kill off with the AlgaeFix. Green cyanobacteria look very much like algae also. Perhaps trying some of the recommendations for cyanobacteria may also help you out.
Shark Bait100,
I have not experienced any problems with AlgaeFix and any of my sps or other corals for that matter. The only thing I have noticed with extended dosing of AlgaeFix is that it will kill macroalgae also after around 13 doses or in that area. It only slows macroalgae growth up to that point.
Haksar,
Many hobbyists have dosed AlgaeFix with GAC, GFO and dosing carbon sources and still gained control of their pest. If for some reason you do not get control of your pest say within 10 doses, then perhaps discontinuing some of these may help. Randy has stated that these may interfere with AlgaeFix since the AlgaeFix active ingredient is attracted by the charge on these molecules.
Cliff:
I have no trouble distinguishing between cyanobacterias and filamentous hair algae, and this is most definitely not a cyano. I'm 99% certain it's a species of either derbesia or cladophoropsis. I'll be finding out for 100% certain next week.
I've never had cyano in this tank, but have fought with this hair algae for a couple of years. Very persistant, tough stuff, and I'm anxious to finally get a positive ID on it. AlgaeFix is supposed to be effective against cladophora, so I'm betting on derbesia, which is what I believed it was from the beginning.
I've always assumed that carbon, polyfilter, Seagel, etc. would, at least temporarily, significantly reduce the effectiveness of the AlgaeFix. The GAC and Polyfilter I'm now running was a month old when I started dosing the AlgaeFix, and by now it must surely be making only a minimal (if any at all) impact. I think I'll take a break from the AlgaeFix for a couple of weeks, do some regular water changes, and then try again without any kind of chemical filtration at all running and see what happens. Could be interesting...
I have no trouble distinguishing between cyanobacterias and filamentous hair algae, and this is most definitely not a cyano. I'm 99% certain it's a species of either derbesia or cladophoropsis. I'll be finding out for 100% certain next week.
I've never had cyano in this tank, but have fought with this hair algae for a couple of years. Very persistant, tough stuff, and I'm anxious to finally get a positive ID on it. AlgaeFix is supposed to be effective against cladophora, so I'm betting on derbesia, which is what I believed it was from the beginning.
I've always assumed that carbon, polyfilter, Seagel, etc. would, at least temporarily, significantly reduce the effectiveness of the AlgaeFix. The GAC and Polyfilter I'm now running was a month old when I started dosing the AlgaeFix, and by now it must surely be making only a minimal (if any at all) impact. I think I'll take a break from the AlgaeFix for a couple of weeks, do some regular water changes, and then try again without any kind of chemical filtration at all running and see what happens. Could be interesting...
HighlandReefer
Team RC
Keep us posted and good luck.
capture
New member
dose no. 5 update
dose no. 5 update
Up to this point, I have seen no visible affects from dosing AlgaeFix on LPS, zoanthids/palythoa or ricordea. I leave SPS off that list because a completely separate issue has reared its ugly head. From what I can see, fish, shrimp, crabs and snails are as they were before dosing. I have followed the recommended dosing on the bottle and things seem to be doing well. From the first dose and photos (also on page 15 of this post) , I have since pruned back much of the hair algae and to this point have noticed that what I pulled out hasn't regenerated as fast as it did before using AlgaeFix.
Since the last few doses I have noticed less algae build up on the glass. My skimmate seems to be more green and chunky, which leads me to believe that the skimmer is pulling algae that is either dying or falling off. The algae on my Koralia powerheads is still there but not as it was a while ago.
I have also continued to dose vodka and MicroBacter 7, although I dialed the vodka back a bit. I have not seen any negative affects from dosing vodka and AlgaeFix simultaneously. When I was away on vacation though, vodka and MB7 were not dosed and upon my return there is a nice fat patch of cyano. So, I can't attribute the cyano to using AlgaeFix directly.
I apologize for the gigantic photos but I want people to see changes best they can. I've written more on my blog. If you're interested in reading it click on my red house. More updates soon.
dose no. 5 update
Up to this point, I have seen no visible affects from dosing AlgaeFix on LPS, zoanthids/palythoa or ricordea. I leave SPS off that list because a completely separate issue has reared its ugly head. From what I can see, fish, shrimp, crabs and snails are as they were before dosing. I have followed the recommended dosing on the bottle and things seem to be doing well. From the first dose and photos (also on page 15 of this post) , I have since pruned back much of the hair algae and to this point have noticed that what I pulled out hasn't regenerated as fast as it did before using AlgaeFix.
Since the last few doses I have noticed less algae build up on the glass. My skimmate seems to be more green and chunky, which leads me to believe that the skimmer is pulling algae that is either dying or falling off. The algae on my Koralia powerheads is still there but not as it was a while ago.
I have also continued to dose vodka and MicroBacter 7, although I dialed the vodka back a bit. I have not seen any negative affects from dosing vodka and AlgaeFix simultaneously. When I was away on vacation though, vodka and MB7 were not dosed and upon my return there is a nice fat patch of cyano. So, I can't attribute the cyano to using AlgaeFix directly.
I apologize for the gigantic photos but I want people to see changes best they can. I've written more on my blog. If you're interested in reading it click on my red house. More updates soon.
savethereef
SCRK
well after seeing this thread so much i finally decided to go and get the Algae Fix Marine yesterday from Pets smart. It was $15 for a big bottle. Another LFS was chargin $27 i was like WTH.
My tank is 225g with 50g split sump refuge. Currently i have alot of GHA and its allover the place. its smothering my corals so i have been picking it out manually for over a month. i know the reason i got it was because i make my own food and i used RODI. but one time i pulled it from the freezer i thawed it in some cold water and some how tap water got in the bag and i refreeze it and i guess the tap water mixed in. and i fed it to the tank. after that GHA
Well i did my 1st dose last night and will do another in 3 days. Hope to see some inprovements.
My tank is 225g with 50g split sump refuge. Currently i have alot of GHA and its allover the place. its smothering my corals so i have been picking it out manually for over a month. i know the reason i got it was because i make my own food and i used RODI. but one time i pulled it from the freezer i thawed it in some cold water and some how tap water got in the bag and i refreeze it and i guess the tap water mixed in. and i fed it to the tank. after that GHA
Well i did my 1st dose last night and will do another in 3 days. Hope to see some inprovements.
tony varrell
New member
I have not read the complete thread so do we have a consenses on wether to leave gfo and gac running or not? it seems to me that if you do not leave the gfo running then the PO4 will go up and now your going in circles??
HighlandReefer
Team RC
With the results that the other hobbyists have gotten while using the GFO, GAC and dosing carbon at the same time as using AlgaeFix, I don't see why you can't continue using them while dosing AlgaeFix.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15146049#post15146049 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by savethereef
well after seeing this thread so much i finally decided to go and get the Algae Fix Marine yesterday from Pets smart. It was $15 for a big bottle. Another LFS was chargin $27 i was like WTH.
My tank is 225g with 50g split sump refuge. Currently i have alot of GHA and its allover the place. its smothering my corals so i have been picking it out manually for over a month. i know the reason i got it was because i make my own food and i used RODI. but one time i pulled it from the freezer i thawed it in some cold water and some how tap water got in the bag and i refreeze it and i guess the tap water mixed in. and i fed it to the tank. after that GHA
Well i did my 1st dose last night and will do another in 3 days. Hope to see some inprovements.
I am glad you are sharing your experience with using AlgaeFix.
I constantly see where hobbyists are blaming themselves for getting the algae problems on many other factors. Perhaps this is due to what is recommended to try and control these algae type pests.
In truth, the primary reason hobbyists get these type of algae problems is due to the fact that they somehow introduced them into their system first. Yes, if you let your water parameters get out of hand (nitrate & phosphate) this will cause these pests to grow much quicker and get further out of control. Yes, you can help control these pests by reducing your nitrate and phosphate, but doing this will not necessarily eliminate or prevent your problem.
The above is why I am such a worry wort when it comes to setting a system up or introducing new fish, coral.....etc into your system. It is very easy to bring these algae type pests into your system. If one sets up a quarantine tank, it should also be used to see if there are any unwanted algae type pests in addition to other pests you run into. This takes some time for these pests to grow to the point where you can see them. The quarantine tank will have to have enough light also for the pest algae to grow.
